Haitian Drone Strikes Target Gang Leaders, Spark Legal Controversy

In Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, drones armed with explosives have become the government’s latest weapon against gang leaders controlling over 80% of the city. A recent video released by the Haitian police showed explosions raining from the sky, signaling a high-stakes offensive to reclaim the streets. However, The NY Times reports that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which supplied the drones, has condemned these strikes as illegal, raising questions about their legitimacy and effectiveness.

Why Drones Are Deployed

Haiti’s government is battling Viv Ansanm, a gang coalition that has seized control of much of Port-au-Prince through extortion, kidnappings, and illegal roadblocks. With 1.3 million people displaced and an international force led by Kenyan police making little headway, the government launched a drone task force in March 2025. These strikes, often using commercially available DJI drones, aim to target high-profile gang leaders like Vitel’homme Innocent, who carries a $2 million bounty. Haitians see drones as a last resort to prevent total gang dominance, but transparency about targets and casualties remains absent.

Legal Concerns Surrounding Strikes

The use of lethal drones has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and the RCMP.

“The drone attacks it has conducted are in violation of Haiti’s domestic criminal law and international human rights law,” said Marie-Eve Breton, an RCMP spokeswoman, in an email to The NY Times.

Canada donated drones with the condition they not be used for lethal purposes, citing international human rights law, which prohibits lethal force unless there’s an imminent threat to life. Haiti’s violence, while severe, doesn’t meet the criteria for an “armed conflict,” where targeted strikes might be permissible under international humanitarian law. The lack of a clear chain of command among gangs, despite Jimmy Chérizier’s (aka Barbecue) leadership, complicates this classification.

Haiti’s Response and Secrecy

The Haitian government has remained silent, with the prime minister’s office declining to comment on national security matters. A senior official, speaking anonymously, emphasized secrecy to avoid tipping off gang leaders, relying on private contractors like a company owned by Erik Prince to minimize leaks.

“It is a blurry framework, lacking any accountability and legal backing,” said Romain Le Cour, a Haiti security analyst at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, in the same report.

Human rights groups, while supportive, urge transparency, noting a recent strike killed 40–100 people, with no official police statement.

Effectiveness of Drone Operations

Drones offer significant surveillance capabilities, tracking gang movements and guiding ground operations. However, their offensive use—likely involving improvised explosives or kamikaze-style attacks—is less promising.

“Taking drones and killing people is not a strategy,” said Thomas X. Hammes, a research fellow at the National Defense University.

While over 300 gang members have reportedly been killed, no high-value targets have been captured, and gang territory remains intact. Gangs have retaliated, killing at least four civilians. Barbecue’s response, claiming access to drones himself, underscores the risk of escalation.

Implications for Drone Use

Haiti’s drone strikes highlight the growing role of commercially available drones in urban conflicts, raising technical and ethical challenges. At roughly $1,500–$5,000 per unit, these drones are affordable but lack the precision of military-grade systems, increasing the risk of collateral damage. For drone professionals, this case underscores the need for clear regulations on weaponized drones, especially in civilian settings. As Haiti’s experiment continues, the balance between security and legality remains precarious, with no clear path to restoring order.

Photo courtesy of AP / O. Joseph.